Modus operandi
This blog will be devoted to interviews with authors of mysteries and thrillers who have a particular connection with a city or locale. Think Simenon and Paris, Conan Doyle and London. Now think extant writers: Cara Black and Paris, Philip Kerr and pre-war Berlin, Matt Beynon Rees and Jerusalem, Donna Leon and Venice, Jason Goodwin and early nineteenth-century Istanbul, Leighton Gage and contemporary Brazil, and yes, yours truly for Vienna 1900.
Do not expect a daily blog. I am a working writer with novels to write. But I hope to have regular interviews with other working writers, talking about spirit of place and how locale can become a major character in our favorite mysteries. Please feel free to make suggestions of books and authors. And please feel free to start or add to conversations on the comments pages about what makes for great mysteries and thrillers.
I also irregularly post a series of writings on my life in Cold War Europe; these are archived under the “Diverse” section of the “Categories” heading on the right hand scroll. Here you will find tales from my life in a cave in Crete to a strange friendship with a blue-eyed African perched in a Viennese tower. These are essais in the truest sense: attempts at memoir and a fond look at past times.
Hi there, Syd. Just getting in touch following the comment you left on Lizzy’s Literary Life. Yes, I’d be very happy to do an interview. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Roger
Hello Mr. Jones,
This is Carmen Abrego with Arte Público Press, the oldest and largest publisher of U.S. Hispanic Literature based at the University of Houston.
We are familiar with Scene of the Crime, and find it to be a great read.
The Name Partner by Carlos Cisneros is our latest title that would be a perfect novel to bring to the attention of your online audience. In this legal thriller, set in South Texas’ border region, a trial lawyer finds himself defending a drug company accused of making a deadly new drug.
We know the setting of this novel differs from your other featured locales, but this novel truly engulfs itself in the South Texas culture. The protagonist is mainly located in the cities of Laredo and Houston, which are the areas of Texas the author is from.
According to Booklist: “This thriller lands firmly in John Grisham territory. But Cisneros makes the material his own.”
We would welcome further interest in you interviewing the author, and if you have any questions or particular requests, please feel free to contact me.
Carmen Peña Abrego
Marketing Coordinator
713-743-2999
carpen@uh.edu
This blog is wonderful and explains why I have come to love murder mysteries. I have subscribed to your email updates. I especially like your interviewing technique; you’re very good at getting your partners in crime to talk.
Ruth Paget
Ruth,
So glad you like the blog. As you review books, perhaps you could recommend authors from time to time. I love the input.
Best,
Syd
Syd,
I’d be happy to do that. Meanwhile, I will be reading and, dare I say it, learning from your blog. I like your Diverse category with the Vienna musings on it, too.
Best wishes,
Ruth
May I suggest an interview with John Burdett, the author of four mysteries set in Thailand? His detective provides interesting insights into Thai thinking as well as what Thais think of westerners. I particularly enjoy his stories because I’m a frequent visitor to Thailand and recognize many of the settings.
Hey Tom–
Your wish is my command–John was posted November 29, 2010–just click under the November 2010 archives and hes’ at the top of the list–I’ve got to figure out how to list an archive in alphabetical order of the writers–this is not searchable at all and there are over 100 interviews now.. Thanks for the comment. Feel free to recommend any other writers, too..
Best,
Sd
Very interesting blog SD. I plan to come back tonight and dig a little deeper! Tom
Love to include an article by you for Mystery Readers Journal (Vol 28:1): Mysteries Set in France. 500-1500 words. Loved your post
Janet,
Many thanks for the comment. Re the Mystery Readers Journal, I would be happy to work with you. I will email you.
Best,
Syd